KOTA BHARU, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- A total of 769 out of 2,688 three-year-olds screened in Kelantan have been identified with health issues, including being underweight and stunted.
Kelantan State Health Department director Dr Kasuadi Hussin said the screenings, conducted across 10 districts, also revealed that some of the children were not fully immunised and did not receive exclusive breastfeeding.
He said of the children identified with health issues, 9.8 per cent were underweight, 10.9 per cent were stunted, 0.3 per cent were not fully immunised, and 9.6 per cent did not receive exclusive breastfeeding.
"The screening programme aims to detect and map the actual status of incomplete immunisation and stunting among three-year-olds in Kelantan, enabling targeted clinical and community interventions," he told reporters after launching the 2026 state-level Wellness Month carnival and Children's Health Day celebration here today.
Dr Kasuadi said being underweight could stem from several factors, including insufficient food intake, calorie deficiency, and unhealthy dietary habits such as the excessive consumption of junk food.
He said stunting could be influenced by genetics, nutrition, and a family's socio-economic background, particularly within the Orang Asli community.
"That is why we must identify the root causes so that appropriate interventions can be provided," he said, adding that the condition could be managed through growth monitoring and a balanced diet.
He urged parents to take their children for regular health check-ups at nearby clinics to ensure any health issues are detected and treated early.
He said these check-ups should continue until the children are six or seven years old, before they enter primary school.
"Children's health problems can be detected early through screenings. The earlier we detect them, the faster action can be taken," he said.
-- BERNAMA